France’s Henri Marracq dummies inside to Daniel Pellerin after taking a pass from Roger Garnung, on the left. Alan Hardiat is the British player.
Spectators threw bottles on the field and spat at the Great Britain players, as the crowd’s French heroes crashed 11-5 in a Spring Rugby League Test, played in Perpignan.
France had narrowly lost the 1963-64 series against the Kangaroos, and had put up a much better show than Britain had, against the Australian tourists. But instead of concentrating on football, France tried to intimidate the British with over-vigorous play, and the visitors showed remarkable restraint, especially as they boasted the likes of giant props, Frank Collier from Widnes and Dennis Hartley from Hunslet, who loved a good ‘stink’.
British fullback, Ken Gowers (Swinton) was safe under the high ball, in sometimes driving snow. Hunslet centre, Geoff Shelton scored two tries and co-centre, Alan Buckley (Swinton) also crossed, while Gowers landed one conversion. France’s only try was scored by Carcassonne centre, Louis Verge, with five eighth, Jean Villeneuve from Albi, converting.
“Like snowflakes in the wind, our attack simply drifted into oblivion,” said French skipper, Claude Mantoulan from local side, XIII Catalan, who had taken over the reins from dual rugby international, Jean Barthe from St Gaudens.
“Britain weren’t any better than us technically,” said French coach, Rene Duffort. “But they kept their heads and they were courageous.”
The British media were scathing in their criticism of the French crowd and full of praise for their players.
“It signalled the re-birth of Britain in League,” wrote one journalist.
France were looking ahead to a tour of Australia and New Zealand later in the year, and were hoping to pick a youthful side, despite the fact many of the stars of club football in the country, were over 30, with Andre Rives, who toured Australia in 1951, still playing for St Gaudens, aged 40.
Ike Southward, who made two Lions’ tours to Australia, shocked the league community by announcing his retirement, aged 28. after a dispute with his club, Workington Town.
In Brisbane club football, Redcliffe Dolphins welcomed new players Stewart Northey, Mayne Murphy, John McKenzie and a lad from Roma by the name of Arthur Beetson.
Brothers welcomed back club legend, Brian Davies from a stint with Canterbury in Sydney, with Davies and fellow international, Peter Gallagher named as props for the round 1 Premiership game against Norths at Lang Park. Bob Bax remained coach of premiers, Norths, while Frank Melit was in charge of Brothers.
Brothers instituted coaching classes for all pupils of Catholic Schools and colleges, to be held at Ballymore Park, now the home of Rugby.
The BRL authorised the use of sand to form mounds for goal kickers. Critics applauded the move, “as long as the sand boys were properly trained.”
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Hi Steve. Re sand for a kicking mound, in ’64 I lived in Cairns and ( as now) there was hill to the south ( Gordonvale) and because of its shape it is known as the Pyramid.As a player from his opposing team lined up a kick, a local character would yell out , from the stand, “Give him the Pyrrrrramid”